No bandh in Bengal on Friday, says CM

| September 1, 2016 3:03 pm

Hardening her stand against tomorrow’s strike called by central trade unions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said there will be no ‘bandh’ in the state and warned of strong action against those who disrupt public life.

Banerjee said her government is also planning to introduce a new law under which those who ransack and damage property during bandhs will be made to pay compensation.

"We will make a law on this. I had a discussion on this with the chief secretary," she told reporters here.

Appealing to the people to report for duty tomorrow, she the government will pay compensation if anyone’s vehicle or shop is damaged during the strike.

"There is no bandh in Bengal tomorrow. I appeal to the common people that Durga Puja is coming and on September 5 we have Teachers Day. So let’s keep things moving. Let’s take Bengal forward. A lot of damage has already been done," she said.

She said that all educational institutions, shops, institutions, offices and factories will remain open. Vehicles will ply normally and public transport will not be hindered.

"There will be strongest possible action against any miscreant who will try to disrupt public life," Banerjee tweeted.

Banerjee, also Trinamool Congress chief, said that her party has not called any bandh in the last few years "realising its futility". "Unlike puja bonus there should be no bandh bonus … No solution comes from bandh. You only get publicity," she said.

Ten central trade unions have given call for a country-wide general strike tomorrow to protest the "anti-people, anti-national and anti-worker" policies of the NDA government at the Centre.

The Left Trade unions, however, challenged her government to foil the strike and accused TMC of planning to let loose violence across the state in the garb of observing ‘Singur Divas’ tomorrow.

"TMC is planning to let loose violence in the state on September 2, under the garb of Singur Divas. What was the need to organize Singur Divas on the day when a strike has been called ? The intention is clear, they (TMC) want to let loose violence across the state and that is why they are doing it," CITU state president Shyamal Chakraborty said.

"We challenge the CM and her government to foil the strike. Their diktats, circulars are completely against the law. They cann’t foil a strike, it is completely illegal. The people of the state will give a befitting reply," he said.